Telephone-exchange apparatus



J. N. REYNOLDS.

TELEPHONE EXCHANGE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. s, 1918.

l f 1,337,325. Patented Apr. 20,1920. I 2 SHEETS-SHEET l IQ l . by puy J. N. REYNOLDSl TELEPHONE EXCHANGE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 8,1918.

Patented Apr. 20, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFETCE.

JOHN NEWBERRY REYNOLDS, OF GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN `ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEVI' "YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION" OF NEW YORK.

TELEPHONE-EXCHANGE APARATUS.

Application led January 8, 1918.

To @Z whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN N nwnnRY REY- NoLDs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Greenwich, in the county of Fairfield, State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telephone- Exchange Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to automatic telephone exchanges, and more particularlyto the arrangement of the switching apparatus employed in such exchanges for extending or vcompleting telephone connections.

In the construction of the terminal bank of selective switches, it is the usual practice to make provision whereby each trunk or other circuit terminating in the bank is multiplied so as to appear in terminals at several positions therein. Considering the panel type of terminal bank and others of a similar nature, wherein the multiple terminals of all trunks, or of each of the several groups of trunks, in the bank are lineally arranged, multiplication to the different positions may be obtained in a very economical manner. This is accomplished by constructing the bank of metallic strips or conductors, each representing a trunk or line, and each having contact surfaces to provide multiple terminals before as many positions as is desired. To cooperate with the terminal bank, a group of switch units is mounted in such relation thereto that the movable contacts of each switch has access to the multiple terminals at one of said positions. With this arrangement, and where the trunks are multiplied to a large number of positions, the overall length of the apparatus is such that a considerable amount of space is necessaryv for its installation.

On account of the value of ioor space being frequently a factor of great importance iu the installation of switching apparatus, it becomes necessary to reduce, as far as possible, the space occupied by the operating mechanism of each switch unit. in this way a larger number of units may be assembled to serve a multiple bank of a given length. Obviously, however, difficulty is lic ble to be encountered in the attempt of reducing the space occupied by the switch in that its certainty of operation becomes endangered by a too close confinement of the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 20, 1920.

serial no. 210,845.

operatingmechanism. Furthermore, it becomes necessary to sacrifice to a certain extent the accessibility of the several parts to adjustment and repair.

llith the foregoing in view,`this invention has as its object an arrangement of switches, to be used in connection with terminal banks of the character described, wherein the difficulties referred to may readily be obviated. To this end there is provided a switching apparatus in which a multiple terminal bank of given dimensions is capable of accommodating` a comparatively large number of switch units, and permitting ample space for the operating mechanism of the switch so as to insure certainty and efficiency of operation, as well as facility in adjustment and repair.

Another feature consists in the provision of means for indicating the extent of movement given the switch brushes in advancing the samev into connection with a set of stationary contacts. By this expedient, an attendant is able to immediately tell the designation of the trunk or line upon which the movable brushes are restino.

@ther features of the invention will appear from the following description and claims.

ln the accompanying drawings, Figure l is an elevation of a switching apparatus showing a terminal bank and a plurality ol switch units arranged for cooperation therewith in accordance with the present invention. In this figure numerous parts are shown diagrammatically while others are omitted entirely for clearness; Fig. 2 is a side. elevation of the apparatus of E l, illustrating the manner of mounting the switch units upon the switch supporting structure; E ig. 3 is a showing in perspective of one form of multiple terminal construction adapted for use in the emboniment of the invention; E ig. a is a detail of the switch operating mechanism taken on line 4% of Eig. 2.

rlhe general form of switch chosen to illustrate the principles of this invention is disclosed and claimed in my prior application, Serial No. 158,190, filed March 29., 1917. This switch consists of a set of movable contacts arranged to be moved vertically by a stepping magnet into operative relation to a group of terminals, and then to be moved horizontally by the same niagnet over successive terminals in the group. The type of multiple terminal bank suitably adapted for use in connection with a switch mechanism.operating in this manner is also disclosed in the above mentioned application.

Referring to the drawings of the present application, the multiple terminal bank of the character referred to comprises, briefly, a plurality of fiat strips 1 arranged in superimposed relation to each other. The strip 1 is made up of a fabric of bare conductors 2 and insulating members El. As seen in Fig. 3, the conductors 2 are arranged to extend longitudinally the length of strip 1, and are divided into sets of thi-1e conductors to provide the three terminals of the trunk or other circuit they represent. The insulating members 3 are interwoven with conductors 2 such that the three conductors 2 comprising a set are, at successive positions throughout the length of the strip 1, displaced vertically to form contact surfaces for the movable brushes. The raised portions l, 5 and G of conductors 2 form the multiple terminals of the trunk or line represented by the three conductors shown in Fig. 3 at one switch position. Multiple terminals of the same set likewise occur at other positions, and other sets of conductors are correspondingly arranged. The several multiple strips l., thus formed, are secured together by supporting members and then mounted, as shown in the prior application referred to, upon channel bars T, which form a part of the supporting frame. The channel 7 may be attached in any convenient manner to vertical standards designed to support the entire switching apparatus. These latter details beingwell understood and forming no essential part of the invention are not shown in the drawings.

A plurality of flat plat-es 8 are mounted below the terminal bank on both sides thereof in horizontal rows, extenfgline longitudinally of the strips 1. ".llhe plL s S are secured to supporting members 9 by means of screws 10, the members J being in turn secured to channel bars T. The series of plates S on one side of the bank are disposed in horizontal a'linement with the series of plates 8 on the other side of the bank. That is, each plate on one side is positioned opposite a similar one on the other side. ln a corresponding position above the terminal bank, and on both sides thereof, there are mounted other series of plates 11, similar to plates S, and secured to channel irons T in the same manner. A row of plates il on one side of the terminal bank are similarly arranged in horizontal alinement with the row on the opposite side. However, cousidering the row of plates S and the row 11 on the same side of the terminal bank, it will be seen that successive plates of one row are vertically staggered so as to overlap successive plates of the other row. Likewise, the rows of plates on the other side of the terminal bank are disposed in a similar fashion. rllhis feature is shown clearly in Fig. 1, and its purpose will become more apparent hereinafter.

Each of thel plates S and 11 constitutes a switch mounting plate, upon which is arranged the operating magnet and other mechanism individual to the switching unit. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the plate 8 is provided with lugs 12 and 13, in which is slidably supported the brush shaft 1l. (.)n the upper end of shaft 11 a brush carriage 15, arranged to be advanced horizontally and independently of said shaft to move its brush set 16 in, over the terminals of a multiple layer 1. A toothed har 1T is loosely attached to shaft 1/1 and is normally locked against longitudinal motion relative thereto by means of a spring-pressed locking dcvice 18 engaging a notch 19 in said bar. lVhen the first set of switch operating impulses are sent, the stepping magnet 20, in

response thereto, actnates its armature 21. The pawl 22, pivoted to said armature, thereby engages the toothed Abar 17, and moves both the bar 1T and brush shaft 11 vertically step by step to position the brush set 16 opposite the desired layer of multiple terminels 1. During this first vertical movement of the bar l?, the stroke of armature 21 is adjusted to advance the same a distance equal to two teeth for each step. rlhe side switch magnet 23, which is designed to rotate a cam disk 24e by means of its arn'latnre and which was energized during the first series of impulses in a well-known way, now dencrgizes. 0n retracting, the armature urges the pawl 38 into engagement with ratchet 39 to advance said cam disk one step. Disk 24 engaging a roller 2G on arm 2T of pivotal lever 2S rotates said lever to move the locking member' 1S out of engagement with bar 17 and into locking engagement with a notch inv the stationary plate 29. This action unlocks the bar 17 from shaft 1l and locks said shaft to the switch frame. rlhis feature is best illustrated in Fig. 1. Also the rotation of lever 28 releases a second pivotally mounted lever 3() which is rotated by a spring (not shown) to bring its linger 31, Fig. 1, against the end of armature 21.

The second series of impulses operates magnet 20 to again vibrate its armature 21. rfhe first actuation of said armature elevates the bar a distance equal to two teeth thereof, and since shaft 14 is locked, the bell crank lever 32 is rotated about its fulcrum to advance brush set 16 horizontally onto the first set of terminals in the selected lever 1. Thereupon the finger 31 of lever 30, i-scaping the end ofl armature 21, moves to the underside thereof so that the stroke of said armature is shortened to a distance corresponding to a single tooth of bar 17. The remaining impulses of the second series are, therefore, effective to advance the brushes by short steps over the contacts of the strip 1. Vhen release of the switch is desired, the side-switch magnet is actuated to rotate cam disk 24 sufficiently to cause lever 28 to be rotated in a direction opposite to that described above. This operates the holding dog 37 and releases the bar 1T. The bar 17, in its downward movement, causes the retraction of brush set 16 from the contact layer 1. Spring 33 also assists in this action. Bar 17 continues to drop until the notch 19 therein lines up with the holding device 18, at which time the shaft 14 is unlocked from the stationary plate 29 and is again locked to the bar 17. Both shaft 14 and toothed bar 1'? are now free to return to normal.`

In the construction of the switch einployed in the embodiment of this invention, there is provided a simple and effective means to relieve the brush shaft and other operating members from the severe shock incident to switches that are restored to normal by gravity. For such purpose, a sector-shaped lever 34 is pivotally mounted on the plate 8, and has the end of a flexible ribbon 35 secured thereto. The other end of ribbon 35 is fastened to brush shaft 14. A spring 36 is so arranged as to be placed under tension, while lever 34 is in normal position as seen in Fig. 1. lVhen shaft 14 is elevated, during the setting of the switch, spring 36 retracts itself, and in so doing rotates lever 34 to thereby wrap the flexible ribbon 35 about its circular surface. W'hen shaft 14 is unlocked and begins to fall, the spring 36 is again tensioned, and through the lever 34 and ribbon 35 acts to retard the accelerative tendency of the restoring members. By a proper adjustment of spring 36, the switch may be permitted to restore with substantially no shock to any of its members.

Referring now to the indicating means embodied in the switch herein disclosed, it will be seen that the notched plate 29 is provided with a vertical series of numerical designations running from 0 to 9. These numbers relate to the ten different layers 1 contained in the multiple terminal bank, and are so arranged that the brush shaft 14, after having been elevated in the primary movement to select a given layer of terminals 1, is thereupon locked by means of the member 18, engaging the particular notch in. plate 29, whose designation corresponds numerically to the selected level. Also the toothed bar 17 is provided, as

shown with a series of numerals so arranged thereon that, after said bar has been advanced in the secondary movement to thrust the brushes 1G into connection with the desired set of terminals in the selected layer, a pointer 40, fastened on shaft 14, registers with the numeral on bar 17, corresponding to the desired set of contacts.

Each of the mounting plates 8, which extend parallelly of the terminal bank on both sides thereof, is provided with one of the switch operating mechanisms just described. Each switch unit has a brush shaft similar to shaft 14, carrying a set of brushes at the upper end thereof, which normally rests at the bottom of the terminal bank in readiness to be moved vertically and then horizontally into engagement with the contact surfaces 4, 5, G, Fig. 3, of conductors 2 in any strip 1, at the particular multiple position in the bank to which such brush set is assigned. By arranging the operating mechanism upon the plate 8 so that the brush shaft 14 is positioned slightly to one side of the center thereof, it is possible for the brush set of one unity to occupy a position in the multiple bank adjacent to that of the brush set belonging to the switch unit directly opposite in the row on the other side of the terminal bank. Furthermore, by this manner of arranging the switches, it is possible to bring the successive multiple contact positions into close proximity without the liability of interference between adjacent sets of brushes.

Referring to the mounting plates 11 secured above the terminal bank, and arranged in vertically staggered relation to the plates 8, each of these is provided with a switch-operating apparatus essentially similar in principle to those already described. The only point of difference is that the switch shaft 14 and toothed bar 1T are made somewhat longer so as to depend below 'the bottom of the bank of strips 1. The brush sets 16 are mounted upon these depending shafts in a normal position at the bottom of the bank. The operation of one of the upper switches elevates its brushes to any desired layer in a manner already described with respect to one of the lower switch units.

All of the plates 8 and 11 are of a standard shape and size. any plate being adapted to receive a switching mechanism for use in any of the described positions whether above, below or on either side of the terminal bank. An assembled unit designed for use below the bank may be mounted interchangeably on either side thereof, and likewise with respect to units mounted in rows above the bank. Moreover, due to the standard construction of all plates and the substantially identical arrangement of switch operatingl mechanisms, units of the lower rows are interchangeable with units in the upper rows by merely changing the switch shafts 14 and bars 17.

Considering again the staggered arrangement of the mounting plates in the upper rows relative to those in the lower rows, it is obvious that the use of this principle, as illustrated in the drawings, enables a comparatively large number of switching units to have access to the multiple terminals of a bank of given length. t the same time, this arrangement of switches further permits of the operating mechanism being mounted upon a flat plate where it has suficient room to insure its proper operation, as well as being readily accessible for repair.

What is claimed is:

l. In telephone exchange, a supporting frame, a multiple terminal bank mounted upon said frame, a group of switches mounted upon said frame in a horizontal row below the terminal bank and arranged to extend longitudinally thereof, a group of switches mounted upon said frame in a horizontal row abovey the terminal bank and arranged to extend longitudinally thereof, said rows of switches being mounted upon the same side of the terminal bank, the switches of one row being vertically staggered with respect to the switches of the other row, and contact means for each switch arranged to cooperate with the terminals of said bank.

In a telephone exchange, a supporting frame, a multiple terminal bank mounted upon said frame, said bank comprising a plurality of superimposed flat multiple terminal strips, a group of switch units mounted upon said frame in a row below the terminal bank and arranged to extend longitudinally thereof, a group of switch units mounted upon said frame in a row above the terminal bank and arranged to extend longitudinally thereof, said rows of switch units being mounted upon the same side of the terminal bank, the switch units of one row being vertically staggered with respect to the switch units of the other row, and movable contacts for each switch unit arranged to be moved vertically to select a layer of terminals and horizontally to select a terminal in the layer.

3. In a telephone exchange system, a supporting frame, a multiple terminal bank mounted upon said frame, a plurality of flat plates secured to said frame in two horizontal rows extending longitudinally of the terminal bank, one below and one above said bank, all of the plates comprising said rows being arranged in substantially the same vertical plane, the plates of one of said rows being staggered vertically with respect to he plates of the other row, and a switching` apparatus mounted upon each of said plates including movable contact members and means for moving said members into contact with the terminals of said bank.

In a telephone exchange, a supportin frame, a multiple terminal bank mounted upon said frame, a plurality of interchangeable flat plates secured to said frame in horizontal rows both above and below said terminal bank, each of said rows of plates extending longitudinally of the terminal bank, the plates of a row mounted below said bank being vertically staggered with respect to the plates of a row mounted above said bank, and a unitary switching apparatus mounted upon each of said plates including a movable shaft, contacts on said shaft, means for moving said shaft to engage said contacts with the terminal bank, means to restore said shaft to its normal position, and means to retard said shaft while being restored.

ln a telephone exchange, a supporting frame, a multiple terminal bank mounted upon said frame, said ybank comprising superimposed flat terminal strips, each stripq comprising a group of multiple terminals, a plurality of interchangeable flat plates secured to said frame in horizontal rows both above and below the terminal bank, each of said rows of plates extending longitudinally of the terminal bank, the plates of a row mounted below said bank being vertically staggered with respect to the plates ot a row mounted above said bank, and a unitary switching apparatus mounted upon each of said plates comprising a-brush shaft, brushes mounted on said shaft, means for advancing said brushes by long steps to select a desired group of terminals, and means for advancing said brushes by short steps to select a desired terminal in the group.

t5. In a telephone exchange, a supporting frame, a multiple terminal bank mounted upon said frame, a plurality of switch units mounted upon said frame in horizontal rows both aboveand below said terminal bank and on both sides thereof, said rows being arranged to extend longitudinally of said bank, the switch units of a row mounted below the terminal bank on either side thereof being vertically staggered with respect to the switch units of the row mounted above said bank on the corresponding side thereof, and contact means for each of said switch units arranged to cooperate with the multiple terminals of said bank.

7. In a telephone exchange, a supporting frame, a multiple terminal bank mounted upon said frame, a plurality of interchangeable lat plates mounted upon said frame in horizontal rows above and below the terminal bank and on both sides thereof, the plates comprising a row mounted below said terminal 1iank on either side thereof bei ug vertically staggered with respect to the plates comprising the row mounted above said bank on the corresponding side thereof, andv a unitary switching apparatus mounted upon each of said plates including contact members, and means for moving said contact members into engagement with the multiple terminals of said bank.

8. In a telephone exchange, a switch having in combination, a frame, a vertically movable brush shaft arranged to be restored to its normal position by gravity, operating means for advancing said shaft to its set position, a pivoted sector mounted. on said frame, flexible means interconnecting said sector and brush shaft and arranged to bear on the periphery of said sector, and resilient means associated with said sector to assist said operating means in advancing Athe shaft to its set position and to retard the movement of said shaft while the same is being restored to its normal position.

v 9. In a telephone exchange, a switch having a movable shaft, brushes mounted thereon, a terminal bank comprising groups of fixed terminals, an operating member for moving said brushes into contact with a set of terminals in any of said groups as a result of two successive movements of like character by said operating member, and means operated by said mechanism for indicating the numerical designation of the particular set of terminals to which said brushes are moved.

l0. In a telephone exchange, a switch having a movable shaft, brushes mounted thereon, a terminal bank comprising groups of fixed terminals, an operating member for moving said brushes into operative relation to one of said groups as a result of longitudinal movement of said operating member, means for moving said brushes into contact with a set of terminals in the selected group as a result of a second longitudinal movement of said operating member, and means operated during each of said brush movements for indicating the numerical designation of the group andthe particular set of terminals in the group to which said brushes have been moved.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 31st day of December', A. D. 1917.

JOHN NEWBERRY REYNOLDS. 

